Just a short while ago, I learned that David Cayley passed away earlier this month on June 10th. While I my exchanges with David were few, I was nonetheless deeply saddened to learn of his passing. He was an accomplished journalist and documentarian, who worked for over 30 years with CBCs Radio’s Ideas series. He produced illuminating series on renowned thinkers including Charles Taylor, George Grant, Simone Weil, and, most importantly to me, Ivan Illich.

David did more than anyone else I can think of to bring the work of his friend to a larger audience. His 2021 Ivan Illich: An Intellectual Journey will be the definitive intellectual biography of Illich for years to come.

Five years ago, I had the joy of interviewing David as part of a series of conversation I was recording with Illich’s friends and co-conspirators. I found him to be extraordinarily generous, humble, and, finally, vulnerable in a way that I found deeply moving. I was honored to have shared that brief time with him in conversation and deeply regret never having occasion to meet him in person.

Rest in peace, David.

You can listen to our conversation here: